You do not have to go far to find the best things to do in Dallas when you visit this cosmopolitan Texas city. Originally a trading post during the earlier parts of the 1800s, Dallas has grown into a beautiful and sprawling metropolis that has a little bit of everything. While most people may think this city is the oil capital of the United States, indeed, while rich in oil and cattle, Dallas is also rich in culture and history. If you are planning a vacation in Dallas in the near future, make sure that you take some notes on the top ten must see destinations that we've compiled so that you can make the most of your time when in this awesome city in Texas.
Dallas World Aquarium: This aquarium is simply fantastic. A culmination of a plethora of different tanks that all offer a different ecosystem that can be found from around the world. When here make sure that you catch each of the five main exhibits, including: British Columbia, and the South American rainforest to name a few. Make sure that you set aside at least a full day to really take in all the sights that this awesome destination in Dallas has to offer.
Dallas Zoo: One of the oldest zoos in the nation, originally founded in the late 1800s, and home to several thousand mammals, animals and reptiles, including a vast bird exhibit that houses over three hundred different kinds of bird species; one of the best in the nation. The coolest thing about this zoo that really separates it from others is that the animals - for the most part - live in a free range, 100+ acre preserve that was created to best mimic their natural habitats. This is an absolute must-see when you travel to Dallas.
Dallas Museum of Art: Not the largest art museum in the nation, but definitely one that has much to offer and that shouldn't be missed when you vacation in Dallas because of the many great artworks that it houses inside. While the museum holds many famous pieces that are permanent to its collection, like Ten Treasures, there are many other pieces that are loaned to this museum each
month. So no matter when you happen upon this awesome museum, there are always some pretty amazing exhibits, like 'Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs' to see.
Dallas Arboretum: This is an awesome sight to see when you visit Dallas. Set on 60 acres of land that are open to the public, this arboretum displays thousands upon thousands of different plant species. It was even recently named the "Top 10 Best Public Gardens" by Southern Living magazine. Easily making this place a must-see when you are here.
White Rock Lake: Perhaps one of the best things to do in Dallas, White Rock Lake offers more than nine miles of trails that circle the entire lake. There is much to see and do here, from the amazing waterfalls, to fishing, hiking, hunting, camping and even horseback riding. If you plan on checking out this awesome lake, make sure that you have at least a full day to really take it all in. And do yourself a favor, and rent a boat to really see the whole lake. Dallas Vacation Packages and Deals
Plaza of the Americas: If the amazing architecture doesn't captivate you from the get-go, then the awesome shopping center will draw you in right away. The world famous Le Meridien Hotel is also located here, which many celebrities frequent when they travel to Dallas. The shopping mall offers hundreds of stores and tons of restaurants, and the nearby park even hosts an ice skating rink.
Reunion Tower: Think of Reunion Tower as the Sears Tower of Dallas, Texas. This huge building has added an intricate piece to the skyscraper skyline of the downtown area of Dallas for more than twenty years. Make sure that you take a guided tour of this awesome building when here. The most notable portion of the building is the famous dome, which is brilliantly lit up at night and can be seen
Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art: If you want to get a does of Asian art history, then make sure that you stop by this great museum; one of the few Asian art museums in the US. You can experience firsthand thousands and thousands of paintings, sculptures and carvings that are both priceless and one-of-a-kind. Of the many Dallas tourist attractions, this museum should definitely be at the top of the list of places not to be overlooked or missed.
The Old Red Courthouse: Head to Dallas County Historic Plaza and you will find this historical and ancient courthouse. It was built in the late 1800s and was designed to resemble the Romanesque Revival style. They offer free guided tours of this amazing building which is also listed on the Register of Historic Places as a City of Dallas Landmark and as a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark.
Ice Skating Center at the Galleria: The Galleria Dallas is a very large and very popular shopping mall that houses an indoor ice skating center. It doesn't matter whether it is steamy summer or cool winter, you can always don a pair of skates and glide out onto the ice. For families with kids, this place is must-see and is one of the few remaining indoor ice skating centers that are located in a shopping mall in the US.
There are so many amazing sights to see and things to do in Dallas. Be sure to visit this exhilarating Texas city and take advantage of all of the great attractions. Dallas, TX Hotels from $39!
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